Autumn 2009 Bulletin
28 September 2009
Message from Jean
Have you received your copy of avanti?
It might be languishing away somewhere in the postal system due to the numerous postal strikes that have hit London and other places.
Hopefully the majority of Members will have received their copy of avanti recently and will be aware of the efforts to raise funds. A very big thank you to Members who have rallied to the call by our Chairman, Katrina Williams to donate. They are trickling in if you haven’t already thought about making a donation do please consider it. The future of the Fellowship could be in your hands, don’t let it slip away. Please remember, the Fellowship is a charity and can accept donations from non Civil Servants and non-subscribing Members too. No amount is too small or for that matter too large!
Thank you so much.
Avanti/Website Planner – Winter 2009
The form has now been distributed but if you (or the person who completes it) has not received a copy, please contact Belinda Stalker at Fellowship Office immediately (belinda.stalker@csrf.org.uk or 020 8469 9194) as the deadline date is 2 October 2009. Please include all your upcoming events and local news as these can be included on the website. We will be changing the layout of the regions in the planner in the Winter 2009 and subsequent issues of avanti.
Estimates for 2010
The issue of forms to branches and groups for details of their estimated expenditure in the year 2010 was unavoidably delayed because of the uncertainties about future funding mentioned by the Chairman in her letter of 27 July. The deadline for the return of forms to Fellowship Office was Monday 21 September 2009. However, there have been numerous postal strikes in London that has affected delivery of post. Those who have not yet submitted their estimates, would they please get in touch with Donna Henry, details below who will be happy to take details over the telephone. Do still please send in your estimate form as she intends to contact those who have yet to submit and we need to keep a paper record of all submissions.
The covering letter with the forms contains a reminder that, any balance remaining in an Imprest account on 31 December 2009 will be taken into account in determining the funds that can actually be drawn down in the year 2010. If you have any problems or concerns about completing your estimate form or require clarification, please contact Donna Henry, on 020 8469 9193 or email: donna.henry@csrf.org.uk.
Change of volunteers committee members and Officers
Please remember you are helping us a great deal by reporting any changes to committees or volunteers to Fellowship Office. That way not only do we make sure that everybody who should receive memos or bulletins actually gets them, and we also have the correct contact person for new members. We want to be certain that all our volunteers are adequately covered by our public liability insurance This would also include any volunteers that are Friends of the Fellowship; please also provide their details so that should anything happen they are recorded as volunteers.
Please call Fellowship Office Tel: 020 8691 7411 or email your amendments to records@csrf.org.uk and include the person’s name, address, telephone number (and if available their email address) plus their new title /position. Please also let us know if they want to receive memos/bulletin and who they are replacing (if applicable) to avoid contacting those who are no longer volunteers and avoid incorrect information being held by Fellowship Office.
Addition to the Speakers List
Jeff Wallington gives talks on topics such as ‘Renewable Energy’, ‘Energy Efficiency’ and also speaks about his time as an apprentice at GWR works in Swindon. Unfortunately, he didn’t supply a phone number but his address details are: Jeff Wallington, 9 Sandpiper Close, St Mellons, Cardiff, CF3 0DL. Mr Wallington supplies his own 35mm slide projector. Fees are from £15 and he is willing to travel anywhere within easy reach of Cardiff. Should anyone want to receive a copy of the full list of speakers please get in touch with Fellowship Office, we can send either a paper copy or email version
Bernard Lockett is a published author and speaker who speaks on a variety of topics, such as:
• Gilbert and Sullivan and their influence on today's musical theatre
• Reflections of growing up in post war east London
• Becoming an author - The publishing process & how to make it happen
Bernard is available any time and any location without restriction and the suggested fee is approximately £55 (negotiable) plus travel expenses at cost. For more information or to make a booking please contact Bernard Lockett 36 Carlton Leas, Folkestone, Kent CT20 2DJ, Tel: 01303-226050, Mob: 0777-6174895 or email: lblockett@btinternet.com
Recruitment of new members and volunteers – 2008 results
A big thank you to those groups who returned the evaluation form, Yvonne Kutzer wanted to assess the impact our recruitment events and targeted mail shots have had on group attendance rates in 2008. 18 groups participated, and the results showed that each group’s attendance rate increased on average by almost 20% (17.8%) (to illustrate: If we assumed that every group had 25 members that would mean an increase of 5 members per group). Furthermore, 78% (14 of 18) of surveyed groups found the recruitment event and/or mailshot was useful. For a full report please contact Yvonne on 020 8469 9190 email: yvonne.kutzer@csrf.org.uk
Please note: applications for recruitment drives are still being accepted (groups that held a recruitment event in 2008 can reapply in 2009) as well as general financial assistance, which could include help with transport, speakers or hall hire
Become a Silver-Surfer! – How to apply for a free laptop and internet access for your group
BT Community Connections (BTCC) is an award scheme which enables community and charitable organisations to get online, and your group can apply for a laptop and a year’s free broadband connection.
Each BTCC Award package consists of:
• A multi-media internet-ready laptop
• One year's free broadband internet access
• Access to a free community website building tool, www.communitykit.co.uk
• Ability to request a visit from a BT Volunteer
• Access to free PR and other online resources
• Access to the BT Community portal which will allow you to create your own online profile
Some of our groups have already successfully applied for this award. Your group could use the laptop and internet to publish your newsletter or use the records website, you could create your own website or profile to make your group attractive to younger members, you could submit the avanti planner online, it could help you to communicate with beneficiaries who have internet access (most of the younger retirees), you could use the internet to advertise your group on local community websites and it could help you with researching speakers, trips and entertainment for your group – there are endless possibilities!
Don’t worry if you don’t know how to switch on a computer – BT usually provide a volunteer who can give some basic training on using a laptop and searching the internet. Often there are opportunities to get funding for IT training locally as well.
Remember that although Fellowship Office encourages groups to apply for the BTCC Award we cannot make provisions for the payment of the installation fees of a BT landline or associated costs as well as the payment for the broadband connection after the first year. Groups would have to cover these expenses themselves and only in exceptional circumstances would they be eligible to apply for financial assistance from Fellowship Office. Groups are further reminded that Fellowship Office cannot supply insurance for the laptop.
For more information, an application form or a sample application from one of our groups please contact Fellowship Office. For more information on the award please call 0845 257 6792. If you already have internet access you can log on to www.btcommunityconnections.com where you can also apply online now
Please note the closing date for postal applications is the 5 January 2010, for online applications it is the 7 January 2010. Applications will be accepted from 17 September 2009 and the winners will be announced the week commencing 8 March 2010. (Many thanks to Roi Milburn, Vice-President for providing a sample application!).
'Beat the Bingo Bug' – Free Bingo Game
Summer barbecues, Ruby Anniversary cakes, strawberry cream teas, cheese & wine parties or recruitment buffets – what would your group meetings be without them? Many of our groups serve food at their get togethers, and while groups naturally make sure that all food is safe to eat you might not have known that according to the Food Standards Agency the reported number of cases of food poisoning has more than doubled in people over 60 since 2000. Although relatively rare, the food bug listeria can cause severe and sometimes life-threatening illness.
To help stop the rise in food poisoning the Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland has produced a game packed with hygiene messages. The game is called 'Beat the Bingo Bug!' and it was designed for groups that get together socially to give them some information about keeping food safe. It covers five themes – choosing food, cooking, chilling, cleaning and preventing cross-contamination of germs. The game conveys 100 food safety messages, and instead of the usual bingo numbers, messages such as ‘Don’t miss that date’ and ‘Chill out’ are read out and the players then have to match them on their bingo cards.
The game can be downloaded free of charge on http://www.food.gov.uk/northernireland/safetyhygieneni/bingo/ or alternatively please contact Fellowship Office if you don’t have access to the internet and we will send you a copy.
If you’re not a fan of Bingo and are just interested in the hard facts have a look at http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/keepingfoodsafe .
TAX DOES NOT STOP WHEN YOU RETIRE
For the benefit of members or members’ partners who have not yet retired or for friends or relations who are approaching retirement age, we would like to draw attention to a HMRC booklet called “Approaching retirement – a guide to tax and National Insurance contributions”. It is a very informative document and includes details of the extra tax allowances to which you may be entitled.
It can be obtained from your tax office or downloaded from the internet at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/ir121.pdf.
As more people are working beyond the current State Pension age (65 for men and 60 for women), it is worth remembering that you do not have to pay National Insurance contributions although your employer will have to contribute for you.
PRINTED COPIES OF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
Some copies of the 2008 Annual Report and Accounts are still available. If you would like one (or more) please contact Fellowship Office on 020 8691 7411 or by email info@csrf.org.uk
-Ends-
Have you received your copy of avanti?
It might be languishing away somewhere in the postal system due to the numerous postal strikes that have hit London and other places.
Hopefully the majority of Members will have received their copy of avanti recently and will be aware of the efforts to raise funds. A very big thank you to Members who have rallied to the call by our Chairman, Katrina Williams to donate. They are trickling in if you haven’t already thought about making a donation do please consider it. The future of the Fellowship could be in your hands, don’t let it slip away. Please remember, the Fellowship is a charity and can accept donations from non Civil Servants and non-subscribing Members too. No amount is too small or for that matter too large!
Thank you so much.
Avanti/Website Planner – Winter 2009
The form has now been distributed but if you (or the person who completes it) has not received a copy, please contact Belinda Stalker at Fellowship Office immediately (belinda.stalker@csrf.org.uk or 020 8469 9194) as the deadline date is 2 October 2009. Please include all your upcoming events and local news as these can be included on the website. We will be changing the layout of the regions in the planner in the Winter 2009 and subsequent issues of avanti.
Estimates for 2010
The issue of forms to branches and groups for details of their estimated expenditure in the year 2010 was unavoidably delayed because of the uncertainties about future funding mentioned by the Chairman in her letter of 27 July. The deadline for the return of forms to Fellowship Office was Monday 21 September 2009. However, there have been numerous postal strikes in London that has affected delivery of post. Those who have not yet submitted their estimates, would they please get in touch with Donna Henry, details below who will be happy to take details over the telephone. Do still please send in your estimate form as she intends to contact those who have yet to submit and we need to keep a paper record of all submissions.
The covering letter with the forms contains a reminder that, any balance remaining in an Imprest account on 31 December 2009 will be taken into account in determining the funds that can actually be drawn down in the year 2010. If you have any problems or concerns about completing your estimate form or require clarification, please contact Donna Henry, on 020 8469 9193 or email: donna.henry@csrf.org.uk.
Change of volunteers committee members and Officers
Please remember you are helping us a great deal by reporting any changes to committees or volunteers to Fellowship Office. That way not only do we make sure that everybody who should receive memos or bulletins actually gets them, and we also have the correct contact person for new members. We want to be certain that all our volunteers are adequately covered by our public liability insurance This would also include any volunteers that are Friends of the Fellowship; please also provide their details so that should anything happen they are recorded as volunteers.
Please call Fellowship Office Tel: 020 8691 7411 or email your amendments to records@csrf.org.uk and include the person’s name, address, telephone number (and if available their email address) plus their new title /position. Please also let us know if they want to receive memos/bulletin and who they are replacing (if applicable) to avoid contacting those who are no longer volunteers and avoid incorrect information being held by Fellowship Office.
Addition to the Speakers List
Jeff Wallington gives talks on topics such as ‘Renewable Energy’, ‘Energy Efficiency’ and also speaks about his time as an apprentice at GWR works in Swindon. Unfortunately, he didn’t supply a phone number but his address details are: Jeff Wallington, 9 Sandpiper Close, St Mellons, Cardiff, CF3 0DL. Mr Wallington supplies his own 35mm slide projector. Fees are from £15 and he is willing to travel anywhere within easy reach of Cardiff. Should anyone want to receive a copy of the full list of speakers please get in touch with Fellowship Office, we can send either a paper copy or email version
Bernard Lockett is a published author and speaker who speaks on a variety of topics, such as:
• Gilbert and Sullivan and their influence on today's musical theatre
• Reflections of growing up in post war east London
• Becoming an author - The publishing process & how to make it happen
Bernard is available any time and any location without restriction and the suggested fee is approximately £55 (negotiable) plus travel expenses at cost. For more information or to make a booking please contact Bernard Lockett 36 Carlton Leas, Folkestone, Kent CT20 2DJ, Tel: 01303-226050, Mob: 0777-6174895 or email: lblockett@btinternet.com
Recruitment of new members and volunteers – 2008 results
A big thank you to those groups who returned the evaluation form, Yvonne Kutzer wanted to assess the impact our recruitment events and targeted mail shots have had on group attendance rates in 2008. 18 groups participated, and the results showed that each group’s attendance rate increased on average by almost 20% (17.8%) (to illustrate: If we assumed that every group had 25 members that would mean an increase of 5 members per group). Furthermore, 78% (14 of 18) of surveyed groups found the recruitment event and/or mailshot was useful. For a full report please contact Yvonne on 020 8469 9190 email: yvonne.kutzer@csrf.org.uk
Please note: applications for recruitment drives are still being accepted (groups that held a recruitment event in 2008 can reapply in 2009) as well as general financial assistance, which could include help with transport, speakers or hall hire
Become a Silver-Surfer! – How to apply for a free laptop and internet access for your group
BT Community Connections (BTCC) is an award scheme which enables community and charitable organisations to get online, and your group can apply for a laptop and a year’s free broadband connection.
Each BTCC Award package consists of:
• A multi-media internet-ready laptop
• One year's free broadband internet access
• Access to a free community website building tool, www.communitykit.co.uk
• Ability to request a visit from a BT Volunteer
• Access to free PR and other online resources
• Access to the BT Community portal which will allow you to create your own online profile
Some of our groups have already successfully applied for this award. Your group could use the laptop and internet to publish your newsletter or use the records website, you could create your own website or profile to make your group attractive to younger members, you could submit the avanti planner online, it could help you to communicate with beneficiaries who have internet access (most of the younger retirees), you could use the internet to advertise your group on local community websites and it could help you with researching speakers, trips and entertainment for your group – there are endless possibilities!
Don’t worry if you don’t know how to switch on a computer – BT usually provide a volunteer who can give some basic training on using a laptop and searching the internet. Often there are opportunities to get funding for IT training locally as well.
Remember that although Fellowship Office encourages groups to apply for the BTCC Award we cannot make provisions for the payment of the installation fees of a BT landline or associated costs as well as the payment for the broadband connection after the first year. Groups would have to cover these expenses themselves and only in exceptional circumstances would they be eligible to apply for financial assistance from Fellowship Office. Groups are further reminded that Fellowship Office cannot supply insurance for the laptop.
For more information, an application form or a sample application from one of our groups please contact Fellowship Office. For more information on the award please call 0845 257 6792. If you already have internet access you can log on to www.btcommunityconnections.com where you can also apply online now
Please note the closing date for postal applications is the 5 January 2010, for online applications it is the 7 January 2010. Applications will be accepted from 17 September 2009 and the winners will be announced the week commencing 8 March 2010. (Many thanks to Roi Milburn, Vice-President for providing a sample application!).
'Beat the Bingo Bug' – Free Bingo Game
Summer barbecues, Ruby Anniversary cakes, strawberry cream teas, cheese & wine parties or recruitment buffets – what would your group meetings be without them? Many of our groups serve food at their get togethers, and while groups naturally make sure that all food is safe to eat you might not have known that according to the Food Standards Agency the reported number of cases of food poisoning has more than doubled in people over 60 since 2000. Although relatively rare, the food bug listeria can cause severe and sometimes life-threatening illness.
To help stop the rise in food poisoning the Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland has produced a game packed with hygiene messages. The game is called 'Beat the Bingo Bug!' and it was designed for groups that get together socially to give them some information about keeping food safe. It covers five themes – choosing food, cooking, chilling, cleaning and preventing cross-contamination of germs. The game conveys 100 food safety messages, and instead of the usual bingo numbers, messages such as ‘Don’t miss that date’ and ‘Chill out’ are read out and the players then have to match them on their bingo cards.
The game can be downloaded free of charge on http://www.food.gov.uk/northernireland/safetyhygieneni/bingo/ or alternatively please contact Fellowship Office if you don’t have access to the internet and we will send you a copy.
If you’re not a fan of Bingo and are just interested in the hard facts have a look at http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/keepingfoodsafe .
TAX DOES NOT STOP WHEN YOU RETIRE
For the benefit of members or members’ partners who have not yet retired or for friends or relations who are approaching retirement age, we would like to draw attention to a HMRC booklet called “Approaching retirement – a guide to tax and National Insurance contributions”. It is a very informative document and includes details of the extra tax allowances to which you may be entitled.
It can be obtained from your tax office or downloaded from the internet at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/ir121.pdf.
As more people are working beyond the current State Pension age (65 for men and 60 for women), it is worth remembering that you do not have to pay National Insurance contributions although your employer will have to contribute for you.
PRINTED COPIES OF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
Some copies of the 2008 Annual Report and Accounts are still available. If you would like one (or more) please contact Fellowship Office on 020 8691 7411 or by email info@csrf.org.uk
-Ends-